Poland 2-ZLOTE (Y464)¶
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Reverse: HARBOUR PORPOISE and baby
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Obverse: Eagle from Poland coat of arms
- Composition
- Brass
- Country
- Poland
- Approx. Size
- 26.8mm
- Area
- Europe
- Animal Class
- Mammals
- Species
- Harbour Porpoise
- KM#
- 464
The Krause catalogue (2nd ed.) incorrectly identifies the animals on this coin as dolphins. "Morswin" is Polish for "porpoise" and the animals featured on this coin are Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Porpoises are related to -- but distinct from -- dolphins.
The Harbour Porpoise is one of six species of porpoise, and is the smallest marine mammal. They are widespread in cooler coastal waters in the northern hemisphere.
Poland¶
- Area
- Europe
Poland has a long history, so here are some basics: Polish state founded c. 966 with territory similar to present-day Poland; Kingdom of Poland formed in 1025; Polish-Lithuanian Commonwalth founded in 1569; Commonwalth collapses in 1795 and Poland is divided up between the Kingdom of Prussia, the Russian Empire, and Austria; Indepdendence regained in 1918 (Second Polish Republic); Occupied by Nazi Germany and Soviet Union during World War II, Poland loses over six million citizens during the war; People's Republic of Poland emerges after WWII under Soviet influence; Communist rule overthrown during 1989 revolution and Third Polish Republic begins.Over one-quarter of Poland's land area is covered by forest, and many animals that have died out in other parts of Europe survive in Poland. The country is also the most important breeding ground in Europe for migratory birds, with one-quarter of them getting it on in Poland.
